Then to sweeten us up further for the insight into the
Conspirators’ Tale of 1605 …

… Iced Chocolate Bombewith Raspberry Coulisand exploding
chocolate … the bombe was very sweet, the coulis delicious … but no popping
chocolate, or

Lemon Posset

… a mini barrel of Lemon Posset, Vanilla Wick, with Lemon
sorbet and gunpowder … I had this and it was quite tasty … the gun-powder didn’t
pop …

Parliamentary Chicken

Coffee served with Bonfire Toffee – the waiter as he served
the plate of toffee said “Wotch Yeer
Teef”!!

Now I say … Wotch yeer
historeeeee! This comes next!

The Gunpowder plot of 1605 stems back a further 120 years to
Richard III’s death at the Battle of Bosworth 1485 … the last decisive battle
of the Wars of the Roses.

Edward VI

Henry VII (1485 - 1509) came next, then Henry VIII – and we
know what he did … created the Church of England … so now Britain has two
religions vying for supremacy … Catholicism of old, and the Reformation ... offering a new approach to our religious way of life.

Henry VIII (1509 - 1547) effectively remained a Catholic in
all but name as Head of the Church of England, though he had used the idea of the new religion in his own desperate attempts in trying to conceive a male heir.

Edward VI (1547 - 1553), his heir, was the third monarch of
the Tudor dynasty, but who had been raised as a Protestant – and on accession
promoted an obligatory Reform – which continued apace during his Kingship.

Mary (1553 – 1558), Henry VIII’s very Catholic daughter, and
Edward’s heir in substance, tried to turn back the tide of Protestantism … but
to no avail – the reformed doctrines had been made official.

James VI of Scotland and
James I, King of England and Scotland

Elizabeth I (1558 – 1603), Henry VIII’s second daughter and who had been brought up in the Protestant faith,
followed the middle path … letting Protestantism take its course.

Elizabeth died childless … her heir was James VI of Scotland –
Mary, Queen of Scots’ Catholic son – who became James I (1603 – 1625) from the
union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603.

Now what? A foolish
idea by desperate Catholics to overthrow the sudden unification of the two
nations.

Gather a group of Catholics … meet in a pub … decide to do
something, swear to get rid of the Protestant King …

State Opening of Parliament 1523

The Opening of Parliament began out of practical
necessity …. by the late 14th century, the means by which the King
gathered his nobles and representatives of the Commons had begun to follow an
established pattern … once “the register
had been ticked” … the Lords and Commons went separately to discuss the
business in hand. The monarch normally
resided.

The Fixed Term Parliaments Act 2011 has amended the
timings … our next general election will occur on 7 May 2015 and the State
Opening of Parliament will happen soon afterwards.

Barrels stacked, kindling ready to help

Back to our 17th C conspirators … Guy Fawkes and his
cohorts … they rented an undercroft (vault) under parliament … stacked it with
36 barrels of gunpowder, disguised as beer barrels, covered with faggots and
wood … enough to blow up the Palace of Westminster and the surrounding districts …

… had the ruse worked most of the important people in England
would have been annihilated … fortunately – the conspirators let the cat out of
the bag by notifying some Catholic big-wigs that they might like to not be
present for the opening …

Guy Fawkes by George Cruickshank:
published in William Answorth
Harrison's novel in 1840

… that the espionage service caught wind of the plot and
searched the cellars ... found Guy Fawkes, who held out before giving his co-conspirators away ...

There is a Guy Fawkes room in the White Tower at the Tower of
London … and on hearing the talk about the torture that was meted out to Guy
Fawkes … my bloody moat resonates to me rather more … I suspect the teacher (speaker) thought he was speaking to young lads –
except we were a somewhat different group … I’m glad I’d eaten!

Guy Fawkes signature - before
and after torture - frankly
I'm surprised he could write

However the downside to the Catholic Rebellion was that they
were never likely to try something like that against the King or English
government again … the deterrent was fool-proof … Protestantism was here to
stay.

Part of the State Opening of Parliament today always starts
overnight with a ceremonial searching of the cellars …

Traitors Gate - entrance from the Thames -
the main transport system

I have to say this talk was rather more explicit than I needed
to know – I realise torture went on, I know some of the grisly details … but I
am distinctly ‘wealthier’ in gruesome thoughts … however I survived and slept
well that night!

The meal did not match up to the South African we had a fewweeks ago – which really stood out. Different hotel … the chef at the Langham
obviously has talent … this was alright (polite euphemism for ok!).

Gunpowder toffee - my 'teef'
are still intact!

The talk was interesting to say the least … and I’ve only
given you a half of it … the history tied in with some of my University of the Third
Age classes – funny how much I’m learning …

The meal didn’t really match up – much more could have been made
to the menu … still we met some interesting diners and had a fun time …

A guy being taken to be burnt

I also have next year’s post jotted down … as I haven’t
written about the Lewes, East Sussex connection with the Protestant martyrs …
also ‘celebrated’ (remembered/

I like your combos of history and food, Hilary. Makes the history much more palatable. . . Guy Fawkes was an interesting part of that history, as those who rebel usually have a reason for their uprisings and sometimes reform bad laws. Protesters can be destructive as we see in modern society, but freedom of speech and thought (or the right to protest) is something to relish. Remember the Inquisition. . .a really bad form.

I had always been given to understand there weren't any cellars under the Houses of Parliament. Obviously I was misinformed.

The food didn't sound all that wonderful, but glad you had fun anyway. I used to enjoy Guy Fawkes night. Didn't know he'd been tortured; I suppose that's how they got the other names. Poor man and now we burn his effigy every year.

Sounds yum. I remember learning about Fawkes on a tour while we were in England. A few nights ago we got plenty of fireworks to watch, but there won't be too many more for another year as fireworks are banned here except on Guy Fawkes Day.

Your luncheon sounds great Wonder how gunpowder chicken tastes. Guy Fawkes was on here as well. We've got all the English traditions in NZ. We didn't go to the fireworks this time as it was quite fresh.Sorry you had to listen to the torture stories. Not the best entertainment

@ Jo - well remember this was 400 years ago and the land levels have changed - we sit on 30 feet of added height.

He held out for three days - but some of the torture methods were frankly ghastly to have been told about .. and now we burn his effigy. He did jump from the gallows before he could be hung, drawn and quartered ... not nice at all ...

@ Sarah - the dessert was good. That's good you remembered the learning while you were here.

I'm glad you get a chance for fireworks .. they are beautiful, but can be dangerous and are mighty loud at times. Interesting about the restriction to once a year though.

@ Donna - well it made the lunch interesting ... I was driving and busy later on - so wine was not a good idea ...

@ Sharon - delighted to read I'm teaching you some things and yes I'm learning history doesn't have to be boring!

@ Val - so pleased you enjoyed the post ... and for the remembrances re Gunpowder plot ... well now you can remember, remember!!

@ Susan - it was entertaining .. just wish the main course particularly had been better ...

More history - I put little bits in here and there in my posts .. but don't want to overwhelm everyone ... still I shan't change my posting style I don't think ...

@ Robyn - yes still here today too ... more home schooling material - glad you make use of the posts! Especially if I make you look good - that's great to read ...

Toffee - sticks the teef! But it was good - the small pieces I had ...

@ Geo - we certainly learnt and had some good times chatting .. and I don't think gunpowder treason will ever be forgot! Good to see you ...

@ Marja - it was a spicy tomato sauce on chicken - not scintillating! I gather you do Guy Fawkes and have fireworks ... a special annual event - all the English bits ...

Yes - torture was interesting and not what I really wanted to hear - amazing what man can stand ...

This is such a gruesome period of history. Why were they all so cruel to each other? And I have to admit that I hate fireworks. They are, after all, gunpowder and so more akin to war. That meal looked fun though!

@ Rosey – we had the good lunch the other week – still the talk was interesting … but torture isn’t my thing – nor the grisly …

@ Rosie – thanks re the compliment and the digging – I just enjoy writing about the informative and quirky things ..

@ Milo – exactly … remember, remember …

@ Ros – I’ve no idea .. but I guess you have to quell the opposition and that’s what they did here. I’m not keen on fireworks either … but I love the colours – and as long as I’m far away … so the bangs don’t break my ear-drums … so I’m with you on that. The meal was alright! – company fun …

@ Dianne – thankfully the torture details came afterwards … but you’re right about religion being an excuse for violence – still is unfortunately … and it is about power, not belief – couldn’t agree more.

@ Alex – I suspect there’s quite a lot of undercover protection work going on. Religion is fine for what it is – but let everyone do their thing and don’t rule with it … which of course was what was happening back in the 1500s leading up to the Guy Fawkes event.I haven’t seen Eddie Izzards reasoning for Henry’s start of the CofE – must check it out .. thanks for the tip off …

@ Kim – it was entertaining and that’s what mattered. Guy Fawkes – there’s so much more to those times … and I don’t think we missed trick or treating … we had fireworks, baked potatoes in the bonfire and sticky toffee apples … now they’re all muddled up …

@ Christine – it was interesting to read the menu, not so good to eat – the desserts were ok – and as you say divine (rich … I think!). You’re right re the real life conspiracy re fictional ones …

@ Sittie – the food does sound tasty doesn’t it … and I’m glad you enjoyed the history.

Cheers to you all – good to see and I’m glad Guy Fawkes still strikes a chord … Hilary

What a fitting menu, and I would've been particularly fired up to try the Iced Chocolate Bombe! Sorry you had to hear all of the gruesome details of GF's torture. I wonder what they had him sign afterward?Seems like your connectivity issues have been resolved, and I hope things continue to run smoothly.

You put so much time and effort into your posts, Hilary. It's really admirable. I always learn something. Turner, considering the times, lived to be a ripe old. He certainly accomplished a lot.

Our Canadian poppy looks a bit difference, but means much to our country. This year our youngest and his family got to celebrate Remembrance Day in the UK. He said he was moved deeply and it's an experience they'll never forget.

@ Julia - yes you're right about Henry VIII - Elizabeth I was an amazing Queen ..we've been very lucky to have two Elizabeth's who've both proved particularly good rulers - or setting examples for others ...

@ Joylene - thanks so much for your complement - appreciate that and am so pleased you enjoy visiting ...

Turner did live to a ripe old age didn't he ...

I think inevitably your poppy would be slightly different - but each is so relevant to their country's way of life. I bet your youngest and his family are really seeing our different ways of life .. and learning about the traditions we have here ... I'm glad they took full advantage of the Remembrance Day celebrations ...

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About Me

A lover of life – who after London, spent time in South Africa; an administrator, sports lover, who enjoys cooking and entertaining ... who through her mother’s illness found a new passion – writing, in particular blogging; which provides an opportunity for future exploration, by the daughter, who has (in her 3rd age years) found a love of historical education. Curiosity didn’t kill this cat – interaction is the key!